Images of the day: View the gallery.

The Scottish Parliament hosted a day of activities on 30 June
to mark the Third Session of Parliament.

Text report: Read the full text of the speeches by Her Majesty
The Queen, Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP and
First Minister Alex Salmond MSP.

Images: View Parliamentary photographs in the galleries.

Video: Watch the day's events again in the video archive - the
debating chamber ceremony and speeches begin approximately
15 minutes into the "Session 3 Ceremony" video.

Watching the traditional Riding.

Order of Service for chamber ceremony(pdf)
Order of Service - Gaelic (pdf)

Photo competition: Read about the winners of the Session 3 public photo competition or view a selection of images.

News releases

People of Scotland celebrate a new chapter in Parliament history
Text of speech by the Presiding Officer
Text of speech by Her Majesty The Queen
Keith Jack to perform for home crowd in Parliament gardens

Outline programme for the day
Details of the Riding participants (45 KB pdf)
Idlewild headline Picnic at the Parliament
Today's Scotland celebrated: Details of guests and performers

The Riding on the Royal Mile. More images.

Perth bandleader to hit right notes with Royal fanfares
Local hero to join Parliamentary celebrations
Edinburgh man adds his own sparkle to the opening of the Parliament

The contact for members of the media is:

Sally Coyne Tel: +44 (0)131 348 6269.
E-mail: sally.coyne@scottish.parliament.uk

If you have any queries about the Session Three Ceremony:
please contact the Session 3 Team on 0131 348 6500
Email at session3@scottish.parliament.uk

For public information enquiries, contact: +44 (0)131 348 5000 or 0845 278 1999 (local call rate)
Text phone: +44 (0)131 348 3415 RNID Typetalk calls welcome
email: sp.info@scottish.parliament.uk